Despite a restful and quiet night Connor awoke later than usual the following morning and felt absolutely horrendous. Aside from the dull ache in his still healing abdomen and chest that burned with each breath he took, the deviant now had a terrible headache, had a strong discomfort in his artificial stomach and felt a little too warm for what would be considered normal. Using his left elbow to prop himself up on the bed Connor ran his right hand through his hair and over his face only to feel his palm become slicked with diluted Thirium-based sweat and he immediately remembered the controversial update he had downloaded the night before.

The update was a success and now Connor was having more humanoid reactions and responses to the world around him. One such reaction was sweating while hot and feeling nauseated when his system wasn't calibrated properly.

"Oh, no. I thought the errors were fixed." Connor thought out loud and was promptly met by Sumo's cold nose pressing against the side of his neck as if sensing Connor's distress. "I need to contact-"

The deviant's stomach suddenly tightened as a warning about his low Thirium volume appeared in his visual sensors. He curled up around himself protectively at the foreign sensation in his cramping stomach. Hand clamped firmly over his mouth Connor awkwardly swung his legs over the edge of his bed and stood up with his entire body trembling from an unexplained weakness. As he managed to make his way out of his bedroom and into the bathroom he stumbled slightly but caught himself against the edge of the sink with his free hand to regain his balance.

"Sick again?" Hank asked as he put his hand on Connor's shoulder from behind. He had heard the deviant awkwardly shuffling out of the bedroom and into the bathroom while he was watching the news in the livingroom, and his paternal instincts kicked in to full gear. "You feel like you're running a little hot."

"...Apparently not all of the errors were properly patched." Connor managed to reply as his stomach mercifully settled and didn't activate his emergency expulsion program. "I believe I need to see a technician and have this update removed."

"Actually," grabbing onto Connor's bicep Hank helped hold the deviant steady on his feet while turning on the cool tap in the sink. "this is supposed to happen."

"How do you know that?" Turning his head slightly Connor looked up at Hank with a pale and sweaty face. His irises were shining bright as he fought to focus on Hank as he stood at his side. "I just woke up like this."

"Shit, you look terrible. But to answer your question," Hank ran a washcloth under the cool water and squeezed out the excess water from the dark blue fabric before presenting it to the deviant. "I got a message from Luke this morning. He's going to be over in a few minutes to check in on you and he told me that the update, which is working like it should, still leaves androids with migraine-like symptoms."

"...Why?"

Laughing a little at the question Hank just patted Connor's shoulder twice before he pressed the cool washcloth to the deviant's eyes. "Fuck if I know."

"Do migraines always make you feel ill?"

"Ill? Are you talking about an upset stomach?"

"...Yes."

"Sometimes." Pressing the washcloth gently over Connor's eyes Hank could feel the ill deviant pressing down against the cool and comforting sensation. "I've only had one migraine to speak of, but again, I've seen enough migraines from everyone else in the bullpen to know they aren't fun."

"How long do the symptoms last?"

"I don't know. Until then," guiding Connor out of the bathroom Hank led the pained deviant into the livingroom to lay down on the couch without moving the washcloth from his eyes in the process. "you can't stand in the bathroom all day until you feel better."

"As soon as a D.N.A. sample can be extracted from my person I'm uninstalling this update."

"I can't blame you for that."

Slowly Connor fell onto his side on the couch and pressed his face against the thick blue pillow that had been left on the couch ever since Luke spent the night three nights prior. Draping the cool washcloth over Connor's eyes to help keep out the light Hank took a step back from the couch and checked his phone in his pocket. Another message from Luke confirmed that he would be stopping by soon to check on Connor.

"Luke is on his way. He also wants me to tell you he didn't contact you cybernetically since that seems to make android migraines worse."

"Tell him I appreciate it."

"Sure, then you can tell him yourself when he shows up."

Nodding slightly Connor let out a tired sigh and pressed his hand to his still healing chest. Gingerly he ran his fingers over the white bandages still wrapped over his healing wounds underneath his black t-shirt and felt an uncomfortable tingling, prickling sensation under his touch because of the newly applied pressure. "...My skin feels unusual."

"Unusual how?"

"Uncomfortable. It's similar to when I had been infected with 'Pyrexia Impairment'."

"When you had what?"

"...The android-chicken pox." Connor simplified with a somewhat embarrassed tone. "The current sensation is similar to that of the numerous blue blemishes that appeared on my artificial skin."

"Oh. So you're itchy?"

"I believe so, yes."

"It's from the sweat clinging to your skin." Speaking matter-of-factly Hank reassured Connor that there was an easy way to rid that uncomfortable sensation from his skin. "Get it washed off in the shower and you'll feel better."

"I believe I will-"

"Nope." Hank quickly planted his hand against Connor's upper arm and held him down. "You'll wait for Luke to give you a quick exam and then you can shower off. Hell, if you want you can take a six hour long bubble bath for all I care."

"I doubt that would be necessary."

Knocking on the front door drew Hank's attention away from Connor and it brought Sumo trotting down the hallway to check in on the visitor. Opening the door Hank greeted Luke and let him step inside the house as if Luke had lived there all his life. There was a routine technician's satchel slung over his shoulder and a confident stare in his blue eyes.

"Good timing." Hank greeted the second deviant warmly. "Connor's feeling pretty lousy."

"From what I've witnessed from the other affected deviants I am not surprised." Luke replied calmly as he pet Sumo's ears while walking around to kneel in front of the couch to check on his little brother. "Hello, Connor."

"Hello, Luke."

"I'd like to check your bandages and then begin an assessment on your system's tolerance for the update."

Connor again nodded subtly as he refused to remove the washcloth from his eyes. The cool compress was soothing and it made the painful headache less intense and therefore slightly bearable.

"I'm going to lift up your shirt." Informing Connor of every step of his process Luke was able to ensure Connor didn't move around too much. Peeling back the protective wraps Luke eyed the healing wounds carefully. "You'll need your bandages disposed of, but if your artificial skin has fully regenerated then you won't need them replaced."

"...That's good."

"Aside from the obvious migraine that you're suffering from, is there any other discomfort you're experiencing?"

"Only a mild discomfort from the sweat clinging to my skin." Connor confirmed as he carefully pushed himself into an upright position on the couch and allowed the washcloth to fall from his eyes down to his lap. Luke helped him to sit up straight on the couch with a hand to his arm. "How is North?"

"She's well. With Simon's help she's been able to restore the full feeling in her legs and has begun her recalibration process to regain her balance and strength. She will be able to walk about on her own by tomorrow afternoon."

Connor picked up the washcloth and let out a relieved sigh. "My headache has dissipated entirely."

Hank leaned over the back of the couch and took the washcloth from Connor's hand. "That's pretty common with headaches, too. One minute you're in total agony, the next everything is just fine."

With a controlled speed Luke removed the bandages from Connor's chest and abdomen entirely and resumed examining the healing wounds beneath. "Your plastimetal frame has fully mended and your artificial skin has regenerated to approximately eighty-four percent coverage. You will no longer require the bandages to protect your frame."

"How long until the D.N.A. sample can be obtained from my system?"

"Approximately seven days. It's a massive update that requires time to properly install and then activate."

"I have to be this human for an entire week?"

The reaction made Luke's blue eyes narrow for a moment as he tilted his head in mild confusion. "Is that a problem?"

"I'm merely uncomfortable with so many additional sensations and reactions all at once." Connor admitted as his fingers tugged at the collar of his sweat soaked t-shirt. "In time, when I'm ready, I will implement features from this particular update one at a time until I become comfortably acclimated."

"That is a good decision." Opening his satchel Luke pulled out the audioscope and pressed it to Connor's chest under his t-shirt. Listening to his brother's Thirium pump rate and his ventilation biocomponents Luke was satisfied that Connor wasn't in any danger from any potential side effects. "Your breathing is normal as is your heart rate. Did you have any complications last night while attempting to rest?"

"No. I remained stable throughout the night."

"And your most severe symptom of the update has faded entirely. I believe it's safe for you to be left without technical observation."

"Are you going to return to Skye Tower?"

"Yes. However, I wish to visit New Jericho first and check in with North." Pressing his left fingertips to Connor's right temple Luke's blue L.E.D. flashed to yellow as he uploaded further information regarding the update and the potential effects. "If you feel ill again or have any questions contact me immediately. I will return as quickly as I can."

"I will. Thank you, Luke."

As the technician-in-training packed up his satchel Hank gave the deviant an appreciative handshake as he passed by. "Always good to see ya', Luke."

"Likewise." Accepting Hank's hand Luke grinned and became increasingly deviant with each visit. "I will spend most of my time at Skye Tower if you need anything."

While Luke left the house as quickly as he arrived Hank joined Connor on the couch and sat beside the deviant with a casual demeanor. "You sure you're feeling okay?"

"Yes. My pain has subsided and I am no longer perspiring."

"That's good. Now you can go take your shower."

"Yes." Standing up from the couch Connor tugged on the sweaty fabric of t-shirt over his chest and ran his right hand over his sweaty locks of hair with mild disgust. "I will also change my clothing into something less sweaty and much cleaner afterward."

Propping his feet up on the coffee table in front of himself Hank patted his leg and called over Sumo to give the massive dog some attention. "Good idea. Go ahead and use the shampoo and everything. Hell, you can even borrow my deodorant if you want."

"...Deodorant?" Lifting his right arm slightly up in the air Connor smelled at his shirt but didn't detect anything offensive. "Do I need it?"

"No, kid. You don't stink, but it can help keep sweat from collecting under your arms and ruining your shirts."

"Oh." Lowering his arm slowly Connor turned around and made his way into the bathroom to finally shower off. "I see..."

Exhausted from all of his additional responsibilities as the precinct Captain and of the bizarre influx of emotions and mental strain over the past couple of weeks, Hank let his blue eyes close and he drifted off to sleep with Sumo sprawled out on the couch beside him. The massive dog was resting his chin on Hank's lap while Hank was resting his hand over the middle of Sumo's back mid pet.

"Poor kid has no idea how hard it is to be human."

Lamenting sympathetically toward his son's confusion Hank knew that Connor had a valid reason for disdaining all of his new humanoid traits. He remembered the horrors of puberty and could feel every fracture and break his bones ever endured over the years gnawing at him in the colder weather.

"I wish I could remove certain qualities from my body, too."

It had been nearly an hour before Connor finally stepped out of the shower and returned to the livingroom. He changed into a pair of dark blue jeans and a very dark green t-shirt after washing off the Thirium laced sweat from his skin and washing his hair. Pressing his left hand against the center of his stomach the deviant tentatively shook Hank's shoulder with his right hand to gently rouse the sleeping senior detective.

"Ha- Dad?" Speaking to Hank in a low voice Connor waited for his adoptive father to look at him. "I think there's something wrong with me."

"What's going on?" Hank's eyes snapped open at the word 'dad' and he looked up at the deviant standing beside him. As he jerked awake Sumo lifted up his head and let out a sleepy yawn. "Are you sick again?"

"I'm not sure, but I feel different."

"Are you in pain?"

"No. I am feeling uncomfortable and... odd."

"Sit down." Motioning to the recliner behind Connor the patient and calm father urged him to take a seat. "Tell me what's happening. Describe it."

"My artificial skin is having a peculiar reaction that is different from the previous itching sensation."

"Let me see."

Extending his left arm out for Hank to view Connor stayed beside the couch and turned his arm slowly so the senior detective could see the artificial skin all around the limb, then finally sat down in the recliner as instructed. "I have small bumps all along my skin. It happened when I felt a chill in the air and I don't know-"

"Those are called 'goosebumps', kid." The reply was sharp and almost annoyed, but also relieved. "It happens when people feel cold. It's normal and it'll go away after you warm up."

Connor's brow arched a little as he pulled back his arm a little and nodded. "Goosebumps?" Taking a moment to find the definition of the term the deviant relaxed a little where he sat. "Horripilation. A rough condition of the skin resembling that of a plucked goose that can be induced by either cold or fear."

"Right. That." Hank had never heard the technical term for 'goosebumps' before, but knew that Connor was right. Despite the affirmation that his skin wasn't damaged Connor still appeared worried. "Something else bothering you?"

"Yes." Unfolding his palm Connor held it upright for Hank to see. "My fingertips are quite wrinkled."

"Normal! Man," Hank let out a steady sigh of relief as he realized Connor's complaints weren't life threatening. "I never thought I'd have to explain this kind of shit to someone."

"What is this?" Turning his palm around Connor flexed his hand a little and let it relax. "How do I make it stop?"

"That happens when your skin is in water for too long. It'll go away in a while, too."

"Oh." Closing his eyes Connor found the correct term for this condition as well. "Aquagenic wrinkling."

"Son, shouldn't you know these things already? I mean, you were trained to look for these kinds of physical tells and reactions in humans long before you became a deviant."

"I'm aware that 'goosebumps' happen when a person is cold, frightened or even emotionally stimulated, and can give a clear indication of honest or deceitful behavior; but I've never really thought about it before. Humans have hundreds of thousands, perhaps even millions of different reactions to life; physically, mentally, emotionally... It's so very complex."

"Yup." Rubbing his hand along Sumo's head Hank sat up a little more on the couch. "I'm not trying to pick on ya' or make you feel like you're oblivious in any way, but it is a little weird to have someone so detailed oriented miss these little things like that."

Connor rubbed his left hand up and down his right arm to try to stimulate some warmth where he sat as he logged away these new details. As he did his skin resumed its normal complexion and overall aesthetic. "...I guess I never considered how these reactions actually feel as opposed to just using them as a deductive tool."

Leaning forward Hank watched Connor carefully as the deviant continued to experience the newest features of the latest update to his software. "What else is happening?"

"There is an odd pressure in my stomach." Connor admitted as he watched his skin curiously. "I can't really describe it, but I do know it's unfamiliar and unsettling."

"Nausea?"

"No. It's different than feeling nauseated." The deviant stated where he sat, his right his hand never leaving his stomach. "It's not as unpleasant as nausea, but it is distracting."

"When did it start happening?" Hank asked as he reached his hand out and wrapped his fingers around Connor's left wrist to check his pulse. "How often is it happening?"

"It first appeared when I received a warning from my system indicating that my Thirium volume was down to ninety percent and urged me to replenish my volume."

Hank moved his hand over to Connor's forehead next to check for a fever. "You're not running hot anymore and your pulse is normal. Did it happen anymore after that?"

"Yes. It returned a second time when I was in the shower. My Thirium volume dropped down to eighty-eight percent and the pressure became slightly more distracting."

"Why'd your volume get lower?"

"I had continued to sweat out my Thirium after I had woken up and did so for a moment longer when I was under the hot water." Connor's hand pressed firmer against his stomach and he dismissed another warning in his visual sensors. A new layer of sweat began to build on his forehead and over his chest as he nervously spoke to Hank. "This discomfort appears to be connected to my Thirium volume. The lower it becomes, now at eighty-five percent, the more intense the discomfort becomes."

"And it's only in your stomach, right?"

"Correct."

"Well then..." Hank leaned forward a little and gave the deviant a sheepish glance. "I think I know what's wrong with you."

"You do?"

"Yup. Kid, this is going to sound strange, but I think you're hungry."

"...Hungry?" The reply left Connor absolutely perplexed. "Androids do not-"

"Right, yeah, I know. You don't technically eat, but you do drink that Thirium to keep your system working and I know that more Thirium-based food is starting to pop up all over the city so androids can sort of blend in easier if they're seen eating human looking food in public."

"That is correct."

"And with that new update making you respond more humanly to changes in your body, I think it's safe to say one of the new features is the feeling of hunger to let you know you need some Thirium."

"If I drink the necessary Thirium will the discomfort go away?"

"Only one way to find out."

"...Of course."

Standing up from the recliner warily Connor made his way to the kitchen and pulled down a bottle of fresh Thirium from the cabinet above the sink. As he opened up the lid Connor felt more sweat building on his brow, which he wiped away with the back of his left arm, and was met with another uncomfortable feeling in his stomach as his Thirium volume dropped down to eighty-three even.

"If this doesn't work I'd like to go see a technician."

"Seriously?" Hank shouted from the livingroom in surprise. "You hate facilities. Are you sure you're not actually hurt or sick?"

"I'm not injured or ill, just... confused."

"Welcome to humanity, kid. Confusion is ironically enough the norm'."

Carrying the Thirium back into the livingroom Connor consumed it slowly to replenish his volume without his system becoming overwhelmed by the increasing amount to his system. The coolness of the Thirium was soothing to his otherwise uncomfortable stomach and it kept him from sweating any further. As the volume increased steadily the discomfort lessened and he began to feel like his usual self.

"Well?" Hank asked somewhat impatiently as he watched the deviant curiously. "Any change?"

"It seems to be working." Connor admitted as he let his volume set idle at ninety-five percent for the moment. "Do all humans feel such discomfort when they're hungry?"

"I guess so. It doesn't really bother me too much. But some people get really pissy when they're hungry, namely Gavin. We call that being 'hangry'."

"This update feature seems rather superfluous since my internal processors can give me realtime updates on my Thirium volume."

"I don't know, you've let your volume get pretty damn low in the past out of sheer stubbornness. Maybe this update is one you should keep so you don't end up making that mistake again."

"You may be correct... It could prove beneficial, but I sincerely swear that I won't intentionally allow my Thirium volume to get dangerously low anymore."

"I wouldn't be so sure." Crossing his arms over his chest Hank leaned back against the couch cushion and gave the deviant a knowing glance. "Shit happens."


Without any further disruptions from an uncomfortable feeling in his stomach or any other physical anomalies, Connor was able to handle the rest of the update easily. Finishing up the final repairs on Joel's rundown pick-up truck in the driveway beside the house, Connor became aware of fresh sweat beading down his forehead and near his eyes. The summer heat guaranteed that he'd be sweating throughout the entire week he had the update active in his system As he dragged his left forearm over his forehead to remove the sweat a clean but worn out blue towel was tossed over to him from the back deck and landed on his head as Hank stepped outside to join him.

"It's easier to wipe off sweat with a towel than your own arm, son."

"Thanks." Pulling the towel from his head where it had landed, his greasy hands leaving behind small oily prints on the material, Connor wiped off his forehead and watched as Hank stood beside the opened hood of the truck. "I'm nearly finished. Once I replace the spark plugs, change the oil and flush the fluids the truck will be fully repaired."

"You do good work, kid. When you're finished with the truck what're you going to work on next?"

"I don't know. But I'll find something time consuming, I'm sure."

"Did that Thirium help with your stomach problem?"

"Yes. It appears you were correct." Connor ran a self diagnostic and found his system operating at optimal parameters. "The secondary reaction within my artificial stomach had been linked to my low Thirium volume." Shaking his head a little Connor gave the senior detective an odd glance. "However, I will be removing this update as soon as I'm able. I dislike all of these abrupt changes and would prefer to handle them one at a time."

"Whatever, kid. Do what you want to do."

From down the driveway Luke appeared and stood beside the truck still being repaired by Connor as he greeted his family. "Hello, Connor. Hank."

"Luke." Wiping off his hands on the towel Connor slammed down the hood of the truck and gave his big brother his full attention. "Is everything okay?"

"Everything is fine. But there has been a change of plans."

"A change? How so?"

"I have been speaking with Simon and Josh at New Jericho regarding the newest rights for androids that were being officiated beyond just Detroit and throughout the rest of the country." Luke had a firm determination gleaming in his blue eyes as he spoke. "The prospects of legal beneficiaries, medical proxies, caregivers, legal guardianship and even androids providing surrogacy services to humans has been more widely accepted, but there is one aspect that has been sorely missed."

"You're talking about proper android technical assistance."

"Yes. We had a lengthy discussion about the lack of proper Android Emergency Repair Facilities outside of the city, and I decided that I wanted to change that. With Markus's blessing and some generous funding from New Jericho, I will begin construction on a new facility elsewhere. Many of the deviants in the refugee camp will be going with me."

"I see." Connor looked disappointed to know that his brother was going to be leaving the city but he knew it was Luke's decision and right to so do. "...Where are you planning to go?"

"The city with the second largest android population is currently Boston Massachusetts."

"Boston?" The distance made Connor noticeably uneasy. "That's seven-hundred and twenty miles away."

"I'm not particularly happy with the expansive distance, either. But the deviants need help. I want to be the one to help them."

Nodding a little as he finished wiping off his hands on the towel Connor asked the next logical question. "...When are you going to leave?"

"I'm leaving tonight."

The answer was less than ideal to the deviant detective as he had just been reunited with his brother after almost an entire year of grief. "So soon?"

"The sooner, the better." Luke confirmed with a somber grin on his face. "I have been fully certified as a technician and I can help a lot of deviants in trouble."

Connor's jaw ticked slightly at the information. So much was happening so fast, but it was all good. Letting Luke move on to help other deviants in need of help is the first massive step that is needed in order for android rights to progress.

Luke was right.

Other deviants still needed help and very few technicians were willing to venture outside of Detroit to provide any form of service to those in need.

"You're certain you want to go?"

"I am, Connor." Luke confirmed with a nod of his head. "I've contemplated my options at the tower and after a lengthy discussion I found that by taking New Jericho's services out of Detroit, rather than expecting those who need the services to come to the tower, would be far more beneficial. It won't be an easy adjustment, I know, but it needs to happen all the same. And I know I can do it. I will be fully funded and in constant contact with New Jericho Tower as well as you despite the distance."

"Will you be alone in this venture?"

"No, numerous deviants from the refugee camp will be going with me and working alongside me from start to finish."

Tossing the greasy towel onto his own shoulder Connor offered Luke his hand to shake. "Then I wish you the best of luck. And remember, you're my brother and I will be there to support you every step of the way for as long as you need me."

"Thank you, Connor." Accepting his brother's handshake the blue eyed deviant flashed a bright smile of appreciation. "I will come back to visit from time to time, I promise."

"And I will venture out to Boston to visit you as well."

"I'm looking forward to it." Releasing Connor's hand Luke turned his attention to Hank with the same smile and extended his hand outward. "You're welcome to visit, too, Hank."

"Hell yeah, I am." Hank shook Luke's hand firmly as he respected the deviant's wishes. "There's a lot of great games that happen out in Boston. I intend to see at least one of 'em in my lifetime."

"You can count on it." As he let Hank's hand go Luke turned back to Connor and gave his little brother a reassuring smile. "I'll contact you as soon as I'm settled and inform you of my progress."

"Be safe, Luke. If you need to return home for any reason you're always welcome here."

"I'll be okay. Don't worry about me."

"You're my big brother, I'll be worried for you no matter where you are."

Hank smirked a little at the comment as it mirrored his own sentiment toward Connor as his son. The way Connor had adapted to a familial sentimentality made the father figure very proud.

"You two take care of yourselves." Luke reluctantly stepped away from his family and made his way back down toward the street where an autonomous taxi was still waiting for him. "Everything will be fine. You'll see!"

Connor took a few steps down the driveway and watched as Luke disappeared into the backseat of the autonomous taxi awaiting his return and disappeared from sight just as quickly as he arrived. "...Goodbye, Luke."

Hank let out a tired sigh and stood at Connor's right side as the vehicle sped off down the street. "Are you going to be okay, son?"

"I'm... conflicted." The deviant admitted as he answered with a somber tone. "While I'm happy that Luke is confident in his abilities and wants to help our people, I'm sad that he's gone. My brother had returned to me from death and just as quickly as we became reacquainted after so long, he's left again."

"Remember what I said earlier?"

"The comment about 'shit happens?'"

"Yup. This qualifies."

"It's unfortunate. You and Luke are my only family, and I don't want to lose that."

"Luke will be okay. He's pretty damn sharp for someone who was arguably born just three days ago."

"As you've so frequently stated; I trust Luke to do the right things in his life, it's the rest of the world I don't trust."

"Sucks, doesn't it?"

"Yes. I wish that I could do more for him and assist him with founding the new facility."

"I know, son. But you can only do so much. You're just one person and one person can't change the world."

"Markus did."

"But he had help from his friends that night. That's not exactly alone."

"I'm aware. That fact doesn't make it any easier to accept that Luke will be eleven hours and seventeen minutes away from me."

"I'm still here." Hank replied kindly as he tried to make Connor feel a little better about having to already say goodbye to his big brother. "And you still have Markus, North, Simon, Josh, Joel, Abby, Aria, Rose, even Sumo. Your family isn't as small as you think it is."

"This is true, but I want to have a close family. Not just one of convenience."

"Is that how you think I saw you? Someone who conveniently showed up in my life and helped me pull my dumb drunken ass out of a beer bottle?"

"No." Bowing his head slightly Connor saw how much he had tried to simplify a very complex subject. "You took me in as your friend, then let me stay as your son. That wasn't convenience, it was compassion."

"That's right. Look, son, you never know what's going to be waiting for you just around the corner. And since androids are getting more rights every day who knows what'll happen? Remember, I legally managed to adopt you and Lucas as my own sons despite being a human and you two being androids. Just a year before that, I would've been laughed at for having such an idea and been told to put damage insurance policies on you two because you would've been seen as just machines and property."

"That is correct." Lifting his head up a little higher Connor felt a sense of comfort wash over himself. "I was adopted and given a real family."

"It took me a couple weeks to get that paperwork pushed through, but it was worth it. That was an annoying wait but I put up with it for the sake of you two. Fuck, by this time next year the laws might change again and you could finally take in a kid, even as a foster kid or something like that, and raise them as your own."

"...That's right. You managed to legally adopt two androids as your sons." Connor's eyes seemed to become brighter with renewed optimism and determination at the prospect of a bigger family. "And if that was legally sound then perhaps androids providing shelter to other people in need is entirely plausible. Just like the shelters who give supply and aid to people who walk in off the street, Luke can help aid deviants, just as I can help people throughout Detroit."

"Yeah. You see?" The senior detective was relieved to see Connor's mood improve. "Things are changing, but it's for the better. Just be patient, kid."

Sighing with an openly melancholy huff Connor turned to face Hank and shook his head despondently. "I've never been good at sitting back and waiting for changes to happen."

"I know, son. Trust me, I KNOW." Hank's tone was light and playful as he continued to ease Connor's concerns. "Everything will work out in the end, you'll see. I promise."

Walking back up the driveway the deviant ran his right hand through his hair anxiously as he resisted the urge to grab on to his coin nestled in his right front jean pocket. "I suppose you're right. All I can do is wait and see how things play out."

"Come on." With a firm clap to the middle of Connor's back Hank led his son back to his little side project as a needed distraction. "Let's finish taking care of Joel's truck so we can have the driveway back. I'm up for a few rounds of basketball before the summer is over and we'll need the room to play."

"Okay." Glancing down at his greasy hands and feeling the sticky sweat all over his skin again Connor let out a somewhat annoyed but partially amused sigh at his current predicament. "I'll need to take another shower after I finish my work."

Hank just laughed as Connor resumed his work on the truck and set about popping the hood and getting fresh grease all over his hands. "There's worse things you could be worrying about than just a couple of extra showers, kid. Trust me on that one, too!"

-next chapter-